Tape-line hook



(No Model.)-

S. H. RODICKQ TAPE- LINE HOOK.

No. 568,113. Patented A r. 14,1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SERENUS H. RODIQK, OF BAR HARBOR, MAINE.v

TAPE-LINE'HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 558,113, dated April 14, 18 96.

Application filed January 27, 1896. Serial No. 577,033. (No model.)

specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in tape-lines; and the object in view is to provide the tape at its initial end with an attachment in the form of a ring and shouldered hook, the latter being adapted to be folded and unfolded and under the latter adjustment to be inserted in the ground or floor or engaged with any convenient object for the purpose of retaining such end of the tape fast while the tape itself is being extended to the desired point.

The invention consists in certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and finally embodied in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one end of the tapeline, showing the improved attachment applied thereto. Fig. 2 isa sectional view showing the device in use. Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the attachment. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the hook. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the clip is formed.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates a tape of flexible material, the same being provided upon one or both sides with the usual graduations in inches, feet, 850. For the purpose of carrying out the present invention a blank 2 is cut from sheet bar of said ring or link being thus left free and unobstructed, so that it may be readily grasped by the fingers in the act of measuring. \Vithin the slot 3 of the clip is arranged the butt-end of a hook 6, such end of the hook being provided with an opening through which is received the inner bar of the ring or link'5. The hook 6 is thus journaled upon said inner bar and within the slot 3, and the said hook is provided at its pivoted end with an offset or shoulder 7, which abuts against a shoulder 8, formed by one end of the slot 3, whereby the swinging movement of the hook is limited in an outward direction. The shoulders 7 and 8 are so disposed that the hook is stopped at substantially right angles to the clip and the direction in which the tape extends, so that when inserted in the ground or other fixed support the said hook will afford a firm anchorage for the tape. At the same time, when not in use, the hook 6 may be folded against the clip, where it will be out of the way and its point guarded.

By means of the construction above described a very simple, inexpensive, and convenient attachment is obtained, which will enable a person to make measurements without the assistance of an attendant. Besides this, the outer bar or extremity of the ring or link 5 may be moved into contact with a vertical body--as a wall, base-board, or partition-the hook in no way interfering therewith, and at the same time the outer bar or portion of the ring or link is left perfectly free and unobstructed, so that it may be readily grasped between the thumb andforefinger and carried to the desired point. The hook 6 is located upon that side of the tapeline 1 opposite to the side upon which the graduations are represented, or the tape-line may be graduated on both sides, the under side being so shown in Fig. 1.

Changes in the form, proportion and min or details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

That I claim is- An attachment for tape-measures, comprising a clip formed from a sheet-metal blank, the same being provided with a central longitudinal slot and having its terminal 7 portions folded upon each other and also upon the extremity of the tape, the latter being confined between the same, a ring or 100p passing through the folded portion of the clip, and a pointed hook having its butt-end arranged within said slot in the clip and journaled upon the ring or link, the said hook being further provided with a shoulder which cooperates with an opposing shoulder formed by one end of the slot in the clip, whereby the swinging movement of the hook is 1i1n- IO ited, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SERENUS H. RODICK.

Vitnesses CHAS. H. 7001), HARRIET SHAW. 

